I am currently studying as much as I can the impact (or lack of) Confucianism on today’s Chinese society.
Central in Confucianism is the notion of “Filial Piety” – caring for and respecting the parents. While the new generation in China has put the notion a bit upside down – parents now supposed to do everything for the children and grandchildren without much return – the majority of the Chinese still very much adhere to the old principles. The issue is an important component of my book.
I was reading about the never-ending sad story of the U.S. housing market, with the foreclosures that make more and more people homeless.
I had read an article (author Peter Goodman – IHT 20 Oct 09) on the topic, when the starting lines hit me afterwards: a lady (Sheri West) in Cleveland ended up completely homeless, after sleeping in her car, months of sleeping on coaches of friends. She was forced to seek a place in a shelter for the homeless. But…
The article said she is the mother of three grown children, grandmother to six and great-grandmother to one; her husband left her.
So, what are the children doing about that? Apparently nothing.
While we miss here the complete background of the story, in most Asian countries that would be considered as a shame.
For the children.
Some Asian values put our Western world to shame; just hoping China will not copy the West.
Gilbert
Vice Chairman – China First International Chongyang Festival, Beijing 2009 Celebration event of World Illustrious Elderly
International Director, Managing Committee of China Ageing International Development Foundation